Archivist, Harvard University Schlesinger Library (Cambridge, MA)

Posted October 15, 2025

Job Description:

The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of women of the past and present for the future and furthers the Radcliffe Institute’s commitment to the study of women, gender, sexuality, and society. The Archival Technical Services unit at Schlesinger Library fosters the discovery, use, and care of archival and manuscript materials through various activities including accessioning, processing, description, metadata creation, preservation, and collection management. Archival Technical Services’ priorities reflect the Library’s ongoing work to document the history and contributions of women and organizations currently under-represented in our collections.

We seek an Archivist who is passionate about archival processing and its crucial role in fostering discovery and accessibility, and who is committed to equitable representation and inclusive description in archives. Reporting to the Lead Processing Archivist, they will work as part of an inclusive team, participating in and contributing to the evolution of a program of thoughtful, flexible, user-centered archival processing. The Archivist processes diverse archival and manuscript collections, arranging and describing materials according to national standards and best practices; highlighting materials for researchers; and providing widespread public access to collections. This is an opportunity for a critical thinker to join an experienced team of passionate archivists who are working collectively to evaluate and improve our practices while reaffirming our existing strengths.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Appraises, arranges, describes, preserves, and catalogs archival and manuscript collections in both analog and digital formats. This includes evaluating their research value, creating a processing plan, and consulting with conservation staff regarding fragile materials.
Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description, using a range of innovative and user-centered approaches to ensure flexible and efficient processing.
Creates DACS-compliant archival descriptions, including catalog records and finding aids, following national standards and Schlesinger Library procedures and applying best practices for inclusive and reparative description.
Adheres to procedures outlined in departmental processing manuals and contributes to the improvement and documentation of departmental workflows and practices.
May undertake additional activities such as photograph cataloging, web archiving, metadata remediation for digitization, participating in donor visits, and exhibit work.
Covers regular shifts at the Schlesinger Library reference desk.
May supervise student assistants and interns, including hiring, training, planning and assigning work, assessing performance, addressing performance issues, and resolving problems.
Monitors current developments, trends, and best practices in the archival profession. Fosters collaborative relationships within the department, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe, and across Harvard Library as appropriate. May represent the department in various collaborative projects and programs within the greater Harvard Library system and beyond.

Working Conditions:

Work conditions involve a climate-controlled, indoor environment with specific temperature and humidity levels to preserve materials.
The archivist may encounter dust and mold, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
Limited natural light is typical in the workspace, and frequent use of computers and other digital tools is required.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands of this position include lifting and carrying boxes up to 40 pounds, managing cartloads of material weighing up to 240 pounds, frequent standing, walking, climbing ladders, and bending to retrieve or reshelve collections.
Manual dexterity is required to handle delicate archival materials carefully.
Prolonged periods of examining documents and repetitive data entry tasks are also common.

Basic Qualifications:

ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science) with a concentration in archives management, or an MA in history or a related field.
Three or more years of experience processing archival materials in various formats.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

Knowledge of national data content and structure standards related to archival control of collection materials (e.g., DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, AAT).
Understanding of content appraisal, preservation needs, and issues related to copyright, privacy, and confidentiality in archival collections.
Flexibility, innovation, and user focus in their approaches to archival processing.
Familiarity with or interest in current approaches and best practices in inclusive and reparative archival description.
Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Knowledge of archival and library management systems, and proficiency with computer technology (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, XML).
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work productively both independently and collaboratively in a collegial, team-based environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with critical thinking and listening abilities.
Proficiency in one or more foreign languages, particularly Spanish or Chinese, preferred.
Interest in contemporary U.S. women’s history.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard’s Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

How to Apply:

Submit your application here.